PESHAWAR - Pakistan stoutly supports dialogue between the Afghan government and Taliban and remains ready to help efforts for peace in the neighbouring country, says a senior diplomat,
But the ultimate responsibility for stabilising Afghanistan rested with the people and government of that country, Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua told a conference in Islamabad on Tuesday.
“Our viewpoint on Afghanistan on the futility of kinetic approaches and merit of pursuing Afghan-owned and Afghan-led reconciliation process is finding greater traction today than ever before,” she remarked.
The lingering Afghan conflict, the foreign secretary said, was a challenge for major South Asian powers, particularly with the growing presence of the trans-national militant group Daesh.
She viewed the Islamic State’s presence in Afghanistan a constant threat to Pakistan, saying te region at large faced serious challenges and resolving the Afghanistan issue was key to lasting peace.
Janjua accused India of holding the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) hostage and becoming a hurdle in the way of hosting the grouping’s summit in Pakistan.
She claimed the view of Pakistan on Afghanistan had been vindicated with the United States finally understanding that the road to peace lay through negotiations with all stakeholders. (Pajhwok)